Advance hybrid roof, advanced cool roof, advanced solar roof, ready roof

Abstract

The invention can make up the entire roof of a building or vehicle, or be integrated into a portion of said roofs. This invention utilizes and reduces the amount of solar radiation that enters a building or vehicle via the roof. This system can include a water holding tank or a plurality of tanks, heat exchangers, fire sprinkler heads and various glazing options. Said heat exchangers are contained between the rafters or trusses, and takes advantage of thermal syphoning to store energy in said tank or said plurality of tanks. Additionally, this roof system can function as a fire suppression apparatus and a skylight apparatus that allows natural light into the structure, and may be integrated with LED lighting to illuminate the skylight glazing and interior space. The exterior upper covering may consist of a glazing material like tempered glass coupled with additional roofing elements or standard upper covering assemblies.

Claims

1. A thermal hybrid roof, being used for roofing over a base area or a built volume, comprising: a tank; said tank composed of a material selected from the group consisting of metal sheeting, cast metal, fiberglass, ceramic, wood and molded plastic, said tank further comprising insulation; a tank frame; said tank frame having said tank being installed as a liner in said tank frame as a liquid barrier for containing water; said tank having an inlet connection or a plurality of inlet connections; said tank having a plurality of outlet connections; said inlet connection or said plurality of inlet connections allowing for inlet water to be supplied to said tank; said plurality of outlet connections allowing for the utilization of said contained water and for connecting a heat exchanger, said plurality of outlet connections for said heat exchanger further comprising an upper surface outlet connection and a lower surface outlet connection, said upper surface outlet connection being angled in a downward direction as to make said heat exchanger be angled in a downward direction and away from said tank when said tank is in an installed condition; said inlet connection or said plurality of inlet connections or said plurality of outlet connections having a pipe or a plurality of pipes being connected; said pipe or said plurality of pipes being composed of a material or a combination of materials selected from the group of materials consisting of metal, plastic or glass, said pipe or said plurality of pipes further being used to create said heat exchanger; said heat exchanger being beneath a roof decking and being coupled with said roof decking or being a part of the roof decking, said pipe or said plurality of pipes being angled similar to load-bearing frame members of said tank frame as to be angled in a downward direction away from said tank when said tank is in an installed condition, said heat exchanger further being supplied with said contained water from said tank, said contained water being supplied from a supply line extending from said lower surface outlet connection; said tank frame further comprised of load bearing frame members being a plurality of rafters and a collar-tie-beam system; said collar-tie-beam system further comprising a collar-tie member and a plurality of column members, said plurality of column members being pitched at a desired angle and being combined with said plurality of rafters as to be angled similar to said plurality of rafters, said collar-tie member being coupled on said plurality of column members, said collar-tie-beam system creating said tank frame having a tank base connection or having a tank platform, said tank base connection or said tank platform being beneath said roof decking and near a peak of said roof decking; said tank or a plurality of tanks being mounted beneath said roof decking and being coupled with said roof decking or being a part of said roof decking, said tank being mounted as to position said upper surface outlet connection at an angle similar to load bearing frame members being said plurality of rafters or said plurality of column members; and said roof decking further comprising a clear roof decking being a glazing panel or an opaque waterproof roof decking, said roof decking extending over said heat exchanger, whereby said heat exchanger piping extends substantially parallel to said roof deck, whereby said solar radiation heats said contained water in said heat exchanger and said contained water is delivered to said tank by thermal syphoning.

2. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said pipe or said plurality of pipes having a fitting or a plurality of fittings which allow for an auxiliary connection or a plurality of auxiliary connections; and said auxiliary connection or said plurality of auxiliary connections being a fire sprinkler head.

3. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said roof decking further being coupled with another of said roof decking.

4. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 3, further comprising; said tank frame; said tank frame having a space inherent to the load bearing framing members size creating a plenum, said plenum further being created using a skylight platform being attached to said tank frame, said plenum being filled with a combination of insulating material and overhead glazing; and said combination of insulating material and overhead glazing being coupled with a light source and being supported by said skylight platform or said plenum.

5. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 4, further comprising; said combination of insulating material and overhead glazing having an open channel or a plurality of open channels; and the overhead glazing of said combination of insulating material and overhead glazing further comprised of sheets or blocks, said sheets or said blocks being sized appropriately for installation or removal of said overhead glazing from said open channel or said plurality of open channels.

6. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said roof decking being said clear roof decking or said opaque waterproof roof decking; or said roof decking being a photovoltaic roof decking when assembled, said photovoltaic roof decking having a thermal transfer relationship with said heat exchanger.

7. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 6, further comprising; said tank frame; said tank frame having a space inherent to the load bearing framing members size creating a plenum, said plenum further being created using a skylight platform being attached to said tank frame, said plenum being filled with a combination of insulating material and overhead glazing; and said combination of insulating material and overhead glazing being coupled with a light source and being supported by said skylight platform or said plenum.

8. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 7, further comprising; said combination of insulating material and overhead glazing having an open channel or a plurality of open channels; and the overhead glazing of said combination of insulating material and overhead glazing further comprised of sheets or blocks, said sheets or said blocks being sized appropriately for installation or removal of said overhead glazing from said open channel or said plurality of open channels.

9. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 7, further comprising; said pipe or said plurality of pipes including a fitting or a plurality of fittings which allow for an auxiliary connection or a plurality of auxiliary connections to be attached; and said auxiliary connection or said plurality of auxiliary connections allowing said plurality of plumbing to be extended or to be routed to desired locations.

10. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 6, further comprising; said roof decking having said pipe or said plurality of pipes of said heat exchanger being embedded within said roof decking, said pipe or said plurality of pipes being made available by having connections to said pipe or said plurality of pipes; or said roof decking further comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells, said plurality of photovoltaic cells being embedded within said roof decking or being applied to said roof decking, said plurality of photovoltaic cells being made available by having a connection or a plurality of connections to said photovoltaic cells.

11. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 6, further comprising; said clear roof decking being a ply or a sheet; said ply or said sheet having a lens strip or a plurality of lens strips being applied as to be in focal alignment with said pipe or said plurality of piping of said heat exchanger; or said ply or said sheet having a lens or a plurality of lenses being a part of said ply or said sheet by having glass rods or glass pipes being embedded.

12. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 6, further comprising; said tank frame; said tank frame having a roof decking standoff or a plurality of roof decking standoffs, said roof decking standoff or said plurality of roof decking standoffs being used between said tank frame and said roof decking as to allow flashing attachments to be applied, as to reduce tension, or to incorporate the thermal hybrid roof into an existing roof.

13. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said plurality column members being combined to a plurality of trusses as to create a free-standing collar-tie-beam system for being said tank frame.

14. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said tank frame; and said plurality of column members of said collar-tie-beam system being recessed from the roof deck surface of said plurality of rafters or being recessed from the bottom surface of said plurality of rafters as to allow the inset attachment of a skylight platform or sheathing apparatus or a filler board between adjacent collar-tie members for interlocking adjacent frame members of said tank frame, said roof deck surface of said plurality of rafters being opposite of said bottom surface of said plurality of rafters.

15. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said roof decking being coupled with a plurality of roof elements as to create a waterproof roof decking.

16. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said inlet connection or said plurality of inlet connections or said plurality of outlet connections being used for the like of a circulator apparatus, a steam turbine apparatus, a switch apparatus, a sensor apparatus, a pressure relief apparatus, a pressure distribution outlet connection, a drainage apparatus, or a drainage outlet connection.

17. The thermal hybrid roof according to claim 1, further comprising; said roof decking having a roof socket or a hatch as to allow for the installation and access of said tank; or said tank frame having a tank socket or an insulated tank socket or a hatch as to allow for the installation and access of said tank.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a three dimensional exploded bottom view of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention on building walls.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the invention with a variation of the tank.

(4) FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of a tank shown in FIG. 3 and for clarity is shown without all components.

(5) FIG. 5 is a three dimensional view of the invention on a building.

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view of a variant for the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a center sectional view of a variant tank for the invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a three dimensional and exploded top view of the invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a three dimensional top view of a variant tank.

(10) FIG. 10 is an exploded top view of a the variant tank in FIG. 10.

(11) FIG. 11 is a three dimensional and exploded top view of the invention in mobile form, as on a trailer, a vehicle, or vehicle walls.

(12) FIG. 12 is a side view of the invention on a vehicle, or vehicle walls.

(13) FIG. 13 is a side view of overhead glazing sheets used in the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) FIG. 1 shows the components that make up the advanced cool roof 3 in an exploded view from underneath and would be the interior view. In the drawing there are three storage tanks 4 removed in the exploded position and one storage tank 4 shown in the mounted position, between the framing rafters 21 and at the peak. Said tank 4 can be composed of plastic, metal, fiberglass, ceramic or wood with a waterproofing barrier, and are attached to a tank base beam 10 by means that is appropriate for the composition used.

(15) Tank 4 is mounted between the rafters 21 by attaching the tanks base collar beam 10 to the rafters 21, structurally creating beams between the rafters 21. When attaching the column members 22 to the rafters 21, they may be recessed from the rafters 21 interior surface so that the skylight platform 23 can be fitted and attached. The skylight platform 23 is attached to the column members 22 and carries the skylight glazing blocks 26. The column members 22 meet with the tanks' base collar beam 10 as to distribute the tanks 4 load downward to the supporting wall or walls.

(16) The skylight glazing blocks 26 can be wrapped with a LED light strip 9. The LED strip can be fitted in any pattern that allows any number of desired glazing blocks 26 to be illuminated. FIG. 1 shows a pattern with all glazing blocks 26 being wrapped with a strip of LED lights.

(17) The roof framing consists of the rafters 21, column members 22 and collar-tie beams 10. The roof forms an angle or roof pitch that is desired to be between ten degrees and seventy degrees tilt, with the heat exchanger 17 facing toward the equator and having a tilt or pitch similar to the roof framing. If the advanced cool roof 3 is installed at a tilt of zero to ten degrees, then the collar-tie beams 10 may extend to the supporting walls 38 as rafters or trusses.

(18) The heat exchanger 17 may consist of copper piping that is filled with water supplied from the tanks 4 lower connection 6 and supply line 18. This supply line 18 delivers water to the heat exchangers' 17 multiple pipes via a single large pipe or manifold. The supply line 18 can include tee fittings 19 that allow the attachment of fire sprinkler heads 20, and said fitting 19 can be incorporated it the heat exchanger pipes, as to accommodate for fire sprinkler head 20 coverage area or esthetics.

(19) The exterior upper covering of the advanced cool roof 3 consists of a roof decking 29 and may be coupled with glazing 28. The roof decking 29 can be any desired plywood that is ideal for roofing or even sheet metal type roofing. The upper glazing 28 is desired to be tempered glass at any desired thickness, yet can be any type of transparent and waterproof glazing such as polycarbonate.

(20) FIG. 1 shows the use of rafter upper standoffs 30. These standoffs 30 allow for flashing attachments to be applied at the roofs' rake edges, where the roof may extend beyond the advanced cool roof 3, and the standoffs 30 also reduce surface area tension on the upper glazing 28. Felt or cloth padding may be used between the standoffs 30 and upper glazing 28 to further reduce tension and shock that the upper glazing 28 may experience.

(21) The upper and lower edges, or peak and eave edges, of the upper glazing 28 should be attached using roofing elements such as a waterproof sealant like silicone, fasteners and metal flashing. The roof decking 29 is coupled with additional roof elements like tar paper and shingles, of which overlaps the peak edge of the upper glazing 28 and underlaps the eave edge of the upper glazing 28.

(22) The interior paneling 24 is for esthetic purposes and is not required, yet can be any type of desired finish which is typically plywood or sheet rock, and is attached to the rafters 21.

(23) FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention installed on building 1 walls 11. A tank 4 is mounted just under the peak of the roof.

(24) A buildings 1 water supply, like municipal water, is connected to the tank 4 at the supply connection 8 and fills the storage area 14. Water flows freely out of the tank's 4 lower connection 6 and to the sprinkler heads 20, as well as to the heat exchanger 17 and back into the tank 4 through its upper connections 5.

(25) Solar radiation 34 passes through the upper glazing 28 and reaches the heat exchanger 17 and skylight glazing blocks 26. Said solar radiation 34 heats up the heat exchanger 17 pipes, as well as illuminate the glazing blocks 26 and the buildings' 1 interior space. The heat exchanger 17 delivers the heated water into the tank 4 through the tanks' upper surface outlet connections 5. Throughout the day the tank water 14 is heated and flows via thermal syphoning. A pump may be fitted to circulate heat exchanger 17 water and potentially improve its efficiency. Said tank water 14 exits the tank 4 through its output connection 7 and is delivered to the source of demand, like a shower or sink.

(26) If the tank water 14 heats up enough to create steam and pressure, then this steam and pressure can be allowed to exit through the pressure relief connection 12. This connection 12 can exhaust to the buildings exterior, or be plumbed to be utilized for heating a bathroom fixture, a steam room, or for any such steam or pressure function.

(27) FIG. 2 shows the tank 4 placed against the roof decking 29 and strategically allocates the tank's 4 upper surface outlet connection 5 and the heat exchanger 17 close to the roof decking 29. The roof decking 29 is coupled with the upper glazing 28 using a waterproofing sealant like silicone, bolt fasteners, and metal flashing.

(28) Additionally, a water catchment system can be installed to capture water for use by the advance cool roof 3. The interior ceiling 24, can be created using plywood or sheetrock. Similar to the interior paneling the water catchment system and the interior ceiling is not required for the advance cool roof 3 to function.

(29) FIG. 3 shows said tank 4 in an alternate state with said tank's volume contained between the rafters 21, and so depicts the possible variations of tank 4 shape and volume that exists between FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

(30) FIG. 4 shows a three dimensional view of a tank 4 in FIG. 3 and is shown with the skylight platform 23 and the tank platform 40.

(31) FIG. 5 shows the underneath view of the advanced cool roof 3 on walls 11, which is the interior view of a building 1. The roof upper decking 29 and roof upper glazing 28 are shown to be mounted on the roof decking standoff 30. Said roof decking standoffs 30 are best used when incorporating an advanced cool roof 3 into an existing roof. By using rafters on the advance cool roof 3 section that are larger than the rafters on the existing roof section, then a difference in roof height is maintained and said roof decking standoffs 30 are not needed for flashing purposes.

(32) The interior ceiling height is controlled by the tank 4 dimensions. The tank 4 height can be decreased and allow for the ceiling height to be closer to the peak. The shape of the interior ceiling improves how natural light is spread throughout the interior space.

(33) The amount of natural light that enters the skylight glazing blocks 26 or skylight glazing sheets 27 can be controlled by using a sliding cover. If so desired, the quantity of skylights overhead glazing that are installed can be reduced, thereby decreasing the amount of natural light, as well as allow for additional heat exchanger 17 pipes that would otherwise pass directly over the skylight. This reduction in skylights affects the interior esthetics by reducing the quantity of openings in the skylight interior covering 24, as well as allow additional locations to position fire sprinkler heads 20.

(34) FIG. 6 shows an outside side-view of the wooden tank 4 and depicts the position of the tank 4 in reference to the roof upper decking 29, the roof upper glazing 28, the rafters 21 and column members 22. The tank base is shown here as a tank platform 40 and with a tank socket 37.

(35) FIG. 7 shows a sectional view at the center of the wooden tank and depicts the tank insulation 15 as hatching, and the tank plastic liner 16 that creates a waterproof barrier from said insulation 15 and wooden tank shell being the tank frame. The tank base is shown here as a tank platform 40 and a tank socket 37.

(36) FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an advanced cool roof 3 and walls 11. In the figure, three tanks 4 are mounted between roof rafters 21 with tank base collar beams 10. The skylight platform 23 and the skylight insulation 25 are shown in the exploded portion of the drawing, yet for clarity are not shown on the three mounted tanks 4.

(37) FIG. 8 also shows an inlet for a level switch 13 that may be a combination sensor switch that also detects temperature, or simply a float type switch that stops the water supply flow into the tank 4, similar to a toilet tank float switch. A tank 4 that is made as a single liquid-tight unit, can be used without the water level switch and will instead operate at the water supply pressure that is connected to the tank 4, yet this may effect thermal syphoning that occurs in the heat exchanger 17.

(38) In FIG. 8, the lower connection 6 is positioned near the tank water supply connection 8 to encourage initial water flow through the heat exchanger 17. The hot water outlet connection 7 can be placed in the tank 4 bottom and closer to the heat exchanger 17 as to be capable of using the entire tank capacity when a continuous water supply is not available, and to be near the source of hot water creation.

(39) Near the upper connections 5 of the tank 4, two fire sprinkler heads 20 are shown in two of many possible locations and options. Fittings 19 can be incorporated into a heat exchanger 17 pipe, or into the supply line 18, allowing the connection of fire sprinkler heads 20 that have sufficient coverage.

(40) The pressure relief connection 12 can be positioned left or right of the peak to allow for direct exhaust of steam through a pipe exiting near the roof peak. It is preferable to plumb this connection to be distributed and allow utilization of steam else where, and further reduce a buildings energy cost.

(41) The upper and lower edges of the upper glazing 28, also known as the peak and eave edges, may be fastened with lag bolts and flashed using a roof sealant like silicone and metal flashing.

(42) In FIG. 8, the end walls 11 on the roofs rake edge, continues up to the tank frame.

(43) The lower skylight insulation board 25 can be mounted directly on the skylight platform 23, and the skylight glazing blocks 26 can slide down the opening in the foam board 25. The upper skylight insulation board 25 is mounted on top of the column members 22. The LED lighting 9 is installed between the two skylight insulation 25 and illuminate said glazing blocks 26.

(44) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a wood tank 4 which can be used when plastics and metals are not available to construct a tank 4 shell, or when plastics and metals are preferred not to be used. This wooden tank 4 is a shape amongst the prototype tanks studied and tested and is shown in a three dimensional top view in FIG. 9, and is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 10.

(45) The tank 4 is shown with the tank base collar beam 10 for attachment to the rafters 21 of the roof framing. The shell of said wooden tank 4 is made with half an inch plywood that is reinforced and assembled with two-by-four wood segments, such as the base collar beam 10. The tank base 39 is constructed firm using two-by-four's to distribute weight. Said tank base 39 may be molded as part of a plastic tank shell 4, or separate as a tank platform with base collar beams 10 and with said tank 4 on top of the tank platform. The surface of the tank that includes the upper connections 5, is reinforced using three blocks to resist movement or stress during maintenance of the heat exchanger pipes 17.

(46) The heat exchanger 17 is shown with four pipes that connect to the tank 4 at the upper connections 5. Said heat exchanger 17 is supplied with water from the supply pipe line 18 which originates from the tank 4 lower connection 6. Included in the heat exchanger 17 supply line 18, is a fitting 19 that allows for the connection of a fire sprinkler head 20.

(47) FIG. 11 shows the invention 3 installed on vehicle 2 walls 11. Three tanks 4 are shown mounted to the tank frame in a tank socket 37 with a hatch 38 and, for clarity, are shown without other components like the skylight platform 23 and skylight insulation 25. One tank is shown in an exploded view that includes the components that make up the invention.

(48) A vehicle 2 may be self propelled like a motorhome or towed like a recreational vehicle, or by any other means that would make it mobile. The advanced cool roof 3 is shown in a shed style roof which consists of rafters 21 connected to only one side of the peak.

(49) The preferred side of the vehicle 2 for the peak would be the side closest to the center of the street when traveling forward, yet either side is viable. The vehicle size may vary in length and so is shown using dashed lines. The advanced cool roof 3 is supported on the vehicle 2 walls 11. The front and back walls are not shown for clarity.

(50) In FIG. 11, a tank 4 or plurality of tanks 4 are attached to the rafters 21 and side wall studs via the tank base collar beams 10. The column members 22 additionally support the tank 4. An interior upper covering or interior ceiling can be installed to improve the esthetics.

(51) The advanced cool roof 3 upper glazing 28 is fastened using lag bolts. Said glazing 28 allows solar radiation to pass through and be utilized for heating water inside the heat exchanger 17, and to illuminate the skylight glazing blocks 26 and the vehicle 2 interior space. The upper roof decking 29, not shown for clarity, continues from the top edge of the upper glazing 28 to the peak of the rafters. The mating edges of the upper glazing 28 and the roof upper decking 29, as well as the outside edges of said glazing 28 and decking 29, are flashed with a waterproof sealant and metal flashing.

(52) FIG. 11 shows a tank 4 with inlet connections and outlet connections that allow it to function. This includes a tank water supply inlet connection 8, a hot water outlet connection 7, a pressure relief outlet connection 12, a water level switch inlet connection 13, lower surface outlet connections 6 and upper surface outlet connections 5. The heat exchanger 17 heats water that is supplied from the tank 4 via the supply line 18 connected to the tanks' 4 lower surface outlet connection 6, and transfers the heated water back into the tank 4 via the upper surface outlet connections 5.

(53) The drawing also shows two fire sprinkle head 20 attached in two of many possible locations. The fire sprinkler heads are attached to the heat exchanger 17 pipe and the heat exchanger supply 18 pipe with a tee fitting 19. Two fire sprinkler heads 20 would not normally be installed so close together because the sprinkler coverage would overlap more than necessary.

(54) The skylight platform 23 is shown installed from the interior side of the vehicle 2, or the bottom side of the roof 3, and is shown mounted to the column members 22. The insulation accommodates the skylight glazing blocks 26 and the skylight LED string 9.

(55) FIG. 12 is a side view of the invention 3 incorporated on top of a vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 is ideally positioned with the roof facing toward the equator where it can accept optimal sun radiation 34. The vehicles 2 interior components, like seats or appliances in a recreational vehicle, should be placed as to help balance the top heavy weight of the water stored 14 inside said tank 4.

(56) FIG. 12 shows the invention 3, the roof decking standoffs 30 and the location of a system drain valve outlet connection 33.

(57) The column member 22 is shown recessed from the rafters 21 interior surface and the skylight platform 23 can be seated flush with the rafters 21 interior surface, and esthetically covered with the interior skylight covering 24. By not recessing the column members 22, the skylight platform 23 can be allowed to overlap the rafters 21 interior surface and thereby remove the need for use of a skylight interior upper covering 24. The column members 22 help distribute a portion of the tank weight and water weight.

(58) FIG. 13 shows the invention 3 in an alternate state that includes skylight glazing sheets 27 in place of the skylight glazing blocks 26. Said skylight glazing sheets 27 can be seated into the skylight insulation boards 25. A photovoltaic cells 36 according to claim 6 is shown.